High School Ice Hockey:
Cherokee Defeats Rancocas Valley 5-1

Monday, January 25, 1999

By Gary Finigan
SJSports Special Correspondent

At Twin Rinks, the Rancocas Valley Red Devils faced off against the Cherokee Chiefs in SJHSIHL Junior Varsity B play. P. J. Dever, Tim Edwards and Brandon Gould all had a goal and a assist in the Cherokee victory. Danny Hennesey picked up the Red Devils' only score.

Rancocas started off the scoring just 48 seconds into the contest. Danny Hennesey, crossing the slot from the left circle, beat Cherokee goalie Christopher Sable on the glove side. Kyle Aaronson and Scott Stevenson picked up assists on the goal. The period ended with the Red Devils holding the 1-0 lead.

In the second period, the Red Devils had two power play opportunities to extend the lead. Applying the offensive pressure, Rancocas was unable to take advantage. Back at even strength, Cherokee tied the score at the 8:09 mark. Bob Vallone fired a low slap shot from the right point, beating Rancocas goalie Chris Benson to even the score at 1-1. Tim Edwards picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The Chiefs took the lead with 2:12 remaining in the period. J. Dever took a pass from Mike Koszyk at center ice. Weaving through the defense, Dever beat Red Devils goalie Benson high on the stick side. Brandon Gould had the other other assist on the goal. With just 29 seconds remaining in the period the Chiefs went up 3-1. Closing in from the left wing, Mike Koszyk scored off his own rebound for an unassisted goal.

Starting the third period with the lead, Cherokee continued to press the play in the offensive zone. With 8:59 remaining, Brandon Gould scored an unassisted goal from the slot to extend the lead to 4-1. In the final minute of the game, the Chiefs closed out the scoring with some good puck movement. Moving the puck around the offensive zone, P. J. Dever passed to Bill Stubbs behind the Red Devils' net. Stubbs then threaded a pass to Tim Edwards who slapped the puck into the net for the goal and a final score of 5-1.

Shots On Goal: Cherokee 24 - Rancocas Valley 11

Photos by Gary Finigan